Green board inverter and transfer machine



April 7, 1964 H. D. KELLEY 3,127,974

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Hay/7 (e//ey United States Patent O 3,127,974 GREEN BOARD; INVERTER AND TRANSFER .MACHINE Hugh D. Kelley, Enterprise, Kans., `assigner to The J. I5. Ehrsarn E: Sons Mannactnring Company, Enterprise, Kans., a-corporation of Kansas FiledSept. 28, 1961, Ser. No. 141,528 6 Claims. (Cl. 198--3i) The present invention relates to aninverter and transfer machine primarily intended for use in a plaster board manufacturing and booking line. While the invention may be applicable in numerous other environments, it is primarily designed, and has been illustrated and will be described herein, for handling green plaster board.

Such plaster-board is conventionally made in widths of 48", 32 or 24, and the machine is designed to handle without substantial modiiication, any one of those widths or to handle,- as Well, plaster lath in the conventional 16 width. By sutable adjustment, one size of machine will handle, also, all of the various conventional lengths of plaster board and lath, being so constructed that the following groupings of pieces can be inverted and transferred for each cycle of the machine:

Four 6 broads totaling 24 ThreeY 7 boards totaling 21 Three 8 boards'totaling 24 Two 9 boards totaling 18 Two l boards totaling 20 Two 11 boards totaling 22 Two 12 boards totaling 24 Two 13 boards totaling 26' One 14 board totaling 14 One board totaling l5 O'ne 16 board totaling 16' Six 4' laths totaling 24' Obviously, the machine may alternatviely be dimensioned to handle other length combinations.

When board 32 or 48" wideis being handled, one stream ofpieces will move through the machine. When 24 board is being handled, two streams of board will move, side-by-side, through the machine; and when 16" lath. is being handled, three streams of pieceswill move through the machine, side-by-side.

The-primary object' of the invention is to provide a novel assembly comprising a receiving conveyor, an inverter which lifts the work from the receiving' conveyor, inverts it and deposits it on a transverse conveyor means, and an off conveyor which receives the work from the transverse conveyor and carries it to a point at. which a further operation is performed on the work. An important'feature of theV invention resides in the provision of novel inverter means which performs its function more effectively than previously known devices intended to accomplish analogous functions.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in an assembly of the character indicated, inverter means which aiirmatively grips the Work fed to it and holds'the work firmly while moving through a rotary path of approximately 180, releasing the Work as the inverting movement is completed.

A further object of the invention is to provide wholly automatic operating means for such an inverter, including not only means for actuating the gripping mechanism but also means for turning the inverterk mechanism unidirectionally in steps of 180 for as long, but only for as long, as work is fed to the inverter.

Still another object of the invention is to provider control means for the transverse conveyor means of such character as to transfery work from the inverter, either singly or in groups of two or moreV pieces, and to deposit 3,127,974 Patented Apr. 7, 1964 lCe the work in proper alignment on the oli conveyor, without causing the edges of the work pieces to bump against any barrier means or against each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic Control means for the entire assembly.

Still furthery objects will appear as the description proceeds.

To kthe accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to `the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is ynot violated.

FIG. l. is a plan View of an assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, parts being omitted and other parts being broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the assembly, taken from the bottom of FIG. 1, with parts omitted for clarity of illustration;

FIG, 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 3 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the inverter assembly taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged, fragmental, longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 5 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG.' 6'is a fragmental horizontal section taken substantially on the line 6 6 of FIG. 4 and drawn to the scaleof FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the parts in a different position of adjustment;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmental section taken substantiallyvon the line 8 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG'. 9 is a fragmental section taken substantially on the.line9 9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. l0 is a similar section takenapproximately on the line 10 10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1l is an exploded view, approximately on the scale of FIG. 4, showing the mode of construction and assembly of the shiftable gripper arms;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the parts shown in FIG. 11, after assembly thereof;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the line 13 13 of FIG. 4;

FIG; 14 is anenlarged plan View of the drive train for the inverter rotor;

FIG. 15 is an end elevation of the-structure illustrated in FIG. 14, parts being broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 16-16 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an elemental wiring diagram illustrating the electrical. controls of the machine;

FIG. 18 isan elemental iluid ilow diagram showing the manner in which the several fluid motors of the machine are controlled;

FIG. 19v is a side elevation, drawn to an enlarged scale, of a` control assembly constituting an element of the machine;

FIG. 20 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 20 20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 2l is an enlarged elevation, looking from the left in FIG; 1, and illustrating thecam mechanisms carried near one end of the inverter rotor for controlling certain switches;

FIG. 22 is an end elevation, looking from the right of FIG. 2l;

FIG. 23 is a section taken substantially on the line 23 23 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24tis a fragmentary section, drawn to an enlarged scale, looking toward the right in FIG. 14 and showing the cam mechanism carried on the Geneva input shaft for controlling certain switches;

FIG. is an elevation of one of the cams shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an elevation of the other cam shown in FIG. 24; and

FIG. 27 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the line 27-27 of FIG. 2.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY Referring more particularly to FIGS. l and 2, it will be seen that I have illustrated a live roll receiving conveyor generally indicated by the reference numeral 30. Said conveyor may be aligned with the accelerating section 31 of conveyor means leading from a board-making machine, and it comprises a series of live rolls 32 which may be commonly driven by means of a chain 33 or the like from said accelerating section. The rolls 32 are arranged in spaced, parallel relation with one end of each roll journalled in a suitable bearing carried by a frame member 34 of the machine and the other end of each roll journalled in a suitable bearing carried upon a pad 35 (FIG. 9) supported upon a post 36. As is clearly to be seen in FIG. 9, the posts 36 are separated and the pad 35 of each post is spaced from the pads of adjacent posts for a reason which will become apparent.

An inverter assembly is indicated generally by the reference numeral 37 and an off conveyor, to which the work is to be delivered after inversion by the assembly 37, is indicated generally by the reference numeral 38.

Theofr" conveyor comprises a spaced series of live rolls 39 journalled in a bed or frame 40 mounted for vertical reciprocation in a conventional manner. The rolls 39 are driven from a motor 41 in a manner which is Well known in the art.

Intervening between the inverter assembly 37 and the off conveyor 38 is a transfer conveyor means or belt section indicated generally by the reference numeral 42 and comprising a spaced series of belts 43 trained over a corresponding series of pulleys 45 on a common shaft 44 and a similar series of pulleys 46. As is most clearly to be seen in FIGS. l, 3 and 9, each pulley 46 is journalled in bearings supported upon rails 47 which, in turn, are supported from the posts 36 and from other posts 48. Thus, the pulleys 46 and their supporting axles are spaced apart, as is most clearly to be seen in FIG. 9, for a reasor; which will appear hereinafter.

THE INVERTER The inverter unit 37 comprises a rotor 49 which, as is most clearly to be seen in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6, comprises a tubular shaft 59 journalled in bearings 51, 51 stationarily mounted on the machine frame, and a smaller tubular shaft 52 received within the shaft 59 and mounted to rotate therewith. Gripper assemblies indicated generally by the reference numerals 53 and 54 extend transaxially in opposite directions from the rotor 49 at spaced intervals along the length of said rotor. Because of the particular mounting of the bearings for the inner ends of the rolls 32 as shown in FIG. 9 and the particular mounting for the pulleys 46 as shown in FIG. 10, said gripper assemblies may move freely into and through interdigitated relationships with the rolls of the conveyor 31 and the belts of the conveyor 42. as the rotor 49 turns.

Gripper Assemblies Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 7, it will be seen that each gripper assembly 53 and 54 comprises a split block 55 mounted on the tubular shaft 50 and secured thereto by bolts 56 passing through the block sections, and by a key 57, said block being formed to provide oppositely-facing at surfaces 58 and 59. The gripper assembly 53 includes an arm 611 fixed to the block surface 58 by means of the bolts 56, the distal end portion 61 of said arm presenting a downwardly facing surface 62 which, when the rotor 49 is in one position of rest, traverses the conveyor 30 at a level slightly above the common plane tangent to the uppermost surfaces of the rolls 32. As shown, the arm 61B is of U-cross section, comprising a web 63 and upstanding anges 64 and 65 as most clearly shown in FIG. 13; and preferably, a soft, rubberoid shoe 66 embraces and covers the web 63 and portions of the flanges 64 and 65.

Split bronze bushings 67 and 67 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are suitably carried respectively by split rings indicated generally by the reference numerals 63 and 69 (FIGS. 5, 6, 11 and 12); and the bushed rings are journal mounted on the shaft 5t) closely adjacent the opposite sides of each block 55.

The ring 68 is made up of separate half rings 70 and 71 while the ring 69 is made up of similar half rings 72 and 73. The half ring 70 is formed with oppositely-projecting ears 74 and 75 adapted to mate with similar ears 76 and 77 on the half ring 71; a bolt 78 is adapted to penetrate the ears 74 and 76 to receive suitable nuts for securing said ears in mating relation while a bolt 79 similarly penetrates the ears and 77 to receive similar nuts to retain the ears 75 and 77 in mating relation, whereby the bushed ring sections 70 and 71 are mounted for oscillation on the shaft 51D. The ring sections 72 and 73 are similarly provided with similar ears 80 and 81 adapted to be similarly secured together by bolts 82, whereby the bushed ring 69 is similarly mounted for oscillation on the shaft Sil.

An arm indicated generally by the reference numeral 33 comprises plates 34 and 85 carried, respectively, by the ring sections 70 and 72 and joined by welded straps 86 and 87. At the distal end of said arm, eyes 88 are provided for the reception of a pivot pin 39 (FIG. 4) upon which is oscillably mounted a rocker 90. The rocker 90 is preferably of U-cross section, comprising a web 91 and downwardly projecting flanges 92 and 93, said web 91 presenting a gripper surface 94 arranged in spaced, facing registry with the surface 62 of the arm 60. Preferably, a rubberoid shoe 95 embraces and covers the web 91 and portions of the flanges 92 and 93.

When the rotor is in said one position of rest, the rocker 90 traverses the conveyor 36 with its surface 94 disposed just below the common plane tangent to the uppermost surfaces of the rolls 32 (see FIG. 3).

An arm 96 identical with the arm 60 is secured by the bolts 56 to the surface 59 of the block 55, and is allochirally arranged with respect to the arm 60 so that its distal end extends transaxially of the rotor 49 in a direction opposite the direction of extension of the arm 60. The distal end portion 97 of the arm 96 is formed t0 provide a surface 93 analogous to the surface 62 of the arm 61), and said arm 96 preferably carries a rubberoid shoe 99 similar to the shoe 66.

The opposite end 10i) of the arm 96 extends a short distance beyond the rotor 49 in `the direction of extension of the arm 60, and carries a post 101 which is adjustable relative to said arm end 10@ by means of nuts 102 positioned on opposite sides of the web of the arm 96. A coiled spring 103 is anchored at one end near the distal end of the rocker 90 and is anchored at its opposite end to an eye bolt 104 secured to the end 100 of the arm 96. Obviously, the spring 163 resists rocking movement of the rocker 99 in a clockwise direction about the axis of the pin 89 and the post 191 limits counter-clockwise rocking movement of said rocker.

An arm 105 identical with the arm 83, but allochirally arranged relative thereto, is carried by the ring sections '71 and '73 and, at its distal end, is formed with eyes 106 in which is received a pin 107 constituting a pivotal mounting for a rocker 103 identical with the rocker 90. Said rocker 108 presents a surface 199 in mating registry with the surface 9S of the arm 96 and preferably carries a rubberoid shoe 110 similar to the shoe 95. The proximal end 111 of the arm 60 extends transaxially beyond the rotor 49 in the direction of extension of the arm 96vand carries a post 112'similar to the post 101 andsimilarly adjustable relative to the arm end 111 by means of nuts 113. coiled spring 114 similar to the springr 103 is anchored to the proximal end of the rocker 108 andto an eye bolt 115 carried by the arm 111. The spring 114 and post 112 are functionally equivalent to the spring 103 and post 101.

Thev arm 105 carriesa fixed bracket 116 and the arm 60 carries a bracket 117 mounted for adjustment, longitudinally of said arm, in a frame 118` A fluid motor, indicated generally by the reference numeral 119, comprises a cylinder 120 pivotally anchored to the bracket 117 and a piston rod 121 pivotally anchored to the bracket 116. It will be apparent that, when the piston rod 121 is forced outwardly withrespect to the cylinder 120, the bracket 116 will be moved away from the bracket 117 and that, since the bracket 117 is carried on the arm 60 which is fixed with respect to the rotor 49 while the bracket 116 iS carried on the arm 105which, in turn, is carried by the rings 63 and 69, such movement will'turn the rings 68 and 69 in a counter-clockwise direction relation to the rotor 49, thereby moving the rockers 90 and 108 toward the arms tiand 96, respectively. Thus, a piece of work 336 which may currently be disposed between the surfaces 62 and 94 of the arms 60 and 90, will be gripped bey tween said arms.

At a point registering with each block 55, the tubular shaft 52 is formed with a radial port 123 (FIG. 6) opening-to the interior 122 thereof; and a conduit 124 provides a connectionrbetween said passage 122 and one end of the motor cylinder 120. Likewise in registry with each block 55, the tubular shaft 5t) is formed with a radial port 126 opening from its interior 125, and a conduit 127 provides a connection between the port 126 and the other end of the motor cylinder 120. The passages 122 and 125 are connected, through control valves later to be described, to a source of fiuid under pressure; and it will be obvious that, when the valve controlling flow to the passage 125 is opened, the piston rods of all of the motors 119 will be projected, and when the valve controlling flow to the passage 122 is opened, the piston rods of al1 of the motors 119 will be retracted.

INVERTER DRIVE Referring to FIGS. l and 2, it will be seen that an electric motor 128 is connected to drive, through a speed varying transmission 129, a reducer 130.` The output shaft of the reducer 130 is connected, through la fluidactuated clutch 131, to a shaft 132 (FIG. 14) which carries a pinion 134` and the drum of a fluid actuated brake 135. The pinion 134'meshes with a gear 136 carried on the input shaft 137 of a Geneva drive unit 138. As is most clearly illustrated in FIG. 16, the shaft 137 carries a drive disc 139 mounting diametrically-opposed rollers 140 and 141. A driven element 142 is mounted on a shaft 143 and is formed with slots 145, 146, 14-7 and 148, opening through theperiphery of the element 142 at 90 intervals for engagement by said rollers.

The shaft 143 carries a gear 149 (FIGS. 14 and l5) with which mesh a pinion 150 fixed to the rotor 49 and a pinion 151 connected to the drum of a deceleration brake 152 which includes a band' or shoe 153 dominated by a fluid motor 154.

BELT SECTION DRIVE AND OFF CONVEYOR CONTROL An electric motor 155 (FIG. 2) is connected by a belt or chain 156 to drive a reducer 157 whose output shaft is connected, through a uid actuated clutch 158 and a uid actuated brake 159 (FIG. l), to drive the shaft 44. A pulley 160 on the shaft 44.is connected by a belt 161 (FIGS. 2 and 27) to drive a timer mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 162 for controlling the bed 40 of the off conveyor. This timer mechanism will be described in further detail hereinafter.

6 Ainv SUPPLY A further electric motor 163 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is connected to drive a compressor 164 for maintaining a predetermined pressure in an accumulator tank 1615 from which air (or other suitable fluid 4under pressure) may be supplied to the several fluid motors of the machine through a control valve 166.

WORK-RESPONSIVE CONTROL A work-responsive control assemblyV 167` is illustrated in FIGS. 1, .19 and 20. Corner posts 168 car-ry beams 169 and are adapted to be suitably mountednear the entrance to the receiving conveyor as, for instance, upon the accelerating section y31. FIG. 19 is taken from the right hand side of FIG. l, land the work is |adapted -to flow in the direction indicated by the arrow 337.

A shaft 17 0 is journalled on -a stationary axis in suitable bearings supported from the corner. posts 168 and carries one or more pinions 171. Suppont means such as roile-rs 172 are carried by the beams 169 and ia carriage 173 having rails 174 is supported from the means 172 for adjustment in the line of movement of the work 336. One or more r-acks 175, fixed with respect to the carri-age 173; mesh with a corresponding number of the pinions 171, and a hand wheel i is secured to the shaft 170i. It will be apparent that, by manipulation of the handv wheel 170', the carriage 173 may -be adjustably positioned relaL tive tothe inverter means 37.

Supported in suitable bearings from fthe carriage 173 is a rock shaft 176 which carries three `actuator arms 177 spaced across the width of the conveyor means 31. One or more sprockets 178 are fixed to the rock shaft 176 in line with a corresponding number of sprockets (not shown) upon a further rock shaft 179Ysupported lfrom the carriage 173m parallelism with the shaft 176. Av chain 180 is tnained over each sprocket 178 and over a corresponding sprocket on the shaft 179 to provide a driving connection between the shafts; and .three arms 181, aligned, respectively, with the Iarms 177, are fixed to the shaft 179. A weight 182 is rotationally fixed to the shaft 176 to provide a yielding resistance aga-inst upward or clockwise movement of the iarms 177 and 181. As work advances toward the left ias viewed in FIG. 19, it engages the arms 177 toI turn the shafts 176 and 179' in a clockwise direction `as viewed in FIG. 19. A plunality of arms 177 and 181 is provided `so that, in case the machine is operated with a plurality of streams of board moving side-by-side through the machine, as mentioned above, any' one of such streams will iactuiate Ithis control mechanism. The shaft 179 with its arms 1x81 is provided in order to prevent the machine from starting a cycle at the wrong time in case a perforation break occurs, causing a small gap between two successive boards entering the machine.

A cam 183 carried on the shaft 176 is arranged and designed to actuate a limit switch 184A when the arms 177 are lifted, .and a further cam 185 carried on said shaft 176 actuates a limit switch 186 when the iarms 177 are lifted.

PROGRAMMING CAMS AND SWITCHES Machine screws '187 secure a cam ring 188 (FIGS. 21,22 and 23) to the rotor 49 adjacent one end thereof. Said cam ring 188 is formed with two diametrically opposed lobes 189 and 190 `amianged to actuate the arm 191 of a switch 192.

Said screws 187 (further secure to the rotor 49 a second cam ring 193 :formed with opposite, arcuate slots `194 whereby said cam ring 193 may be rotationally adjusted, through a limited arc, relative to the rotor 49'. An arcuate lobe plate 195 is mounted for radial adjustment relative to the ring 193 by means of screws 197 passing through slots 196 in said plate; and ia simil-ar lobe plate 19'8 is similiatrly mounted on said ring 193` diametrically opposite the plate 195 by means of screws `200 passing through slots 199 in said plate. The lobes 195 and 198 are arranged to actuate the arm I281 of a switch i282.

A cam disc 283 (FIGS. 14, 15, 24 and 25) having diametrioally oppo-sed lobes 284 and 285 for cooperation with the arm 286 of a switch 287, is secured to the exposed end of the Geneva input shaft 137 by means of a screw 208. A further cam ring 2419l having opposed lobes 210 and 211 is likewise secured to the shaft 137 4for cooperation with the arrm 21,2 of a further switch 213. As shown, the cam ring 289 may be secured to the shaft 137 by means of a set screw i214.

The timer mechanism 162 (FIGS. 2 and 27) comprises a shaft 215 carrying a cam `disc 216. Said disc is provided Vwith a plurality of lugs 217 projecting from one face thereof and with a single lug 218 projecting from the other face thereof. The shaft 215 Iis journalled in suitable bearings supported from an arm 219 which is pivotally mounted at 221.1 upon brackets 221 secured to the machine fname. A bracket 222 is also supported from the arm 219 and carries a switch 223 whose actuator Varm 224 is disposed in the path of the lugs '217; and the arm 219 further carries a switch 225 whose actuating arm 226 is disposed in `the path of the lug 218. A screw shaft 227, threaded through ia rocker 228 supported in the machine frame is operatively connected to the arm 219 and is provided `with a manipulating hand wheel 229. The pulley 168 over which the belt 161 is trained is likewise mounted on the shaft 215, and the screw 227 coacts with the arm 219 to provide means ifor adjusting the tension of the belt 161.

THE FLUID FLOW SYSTEM Gripper Actzmtz'on Referring lto FIG. 18, it will be seen that I have suggested a header 238 leading from the tank 165. A pipe 231 is connected to the header and leads through a` filter 232, a regulator valve 233 and a lubricator 234, all of conventional construction, to a valve A235 controlled by' a solenoid 236. A pipe 237 leads from valve 235 through an adjustable valve 239 to one port of a rotating syphon type union 241 which is connected to the passage 122 through the tubular shaft 52, and another pipe 238 leads through an adjustable valve 246` to the other port of the runion 241 which communicates with the passage 125 through the tubular shaft 58.

This system just described, and indicated generally by the reference numeral l258, provides for la controlled oiw of iluid under pressure through the passages 122 `and 125 to the several fluid motors 119 which actuate the gripper assemblies 53 land 54, and in some installations, such a system would be sucierrt for actuation of such assemblies. However, in many installations the length of ythe inverter assembly is such, `and the number of the motors 119 is such, lthat I deem it advisable to duplicate the system 250, as .indicated generally `at 251, to supply another union `252 at the opposite end of the rotor 49.

The header 230 is further connected, through a regulator valve 254, with a small accumulator tank 255; and a pipe 256 leads therefrom through a filter 257 and lubricator 258 to a valve 259 dominated by a solnoid 260. A pipe 261 leads from the valve 253 to the inverter brake 135 and another pipe 262 leads from the valve 259 to the inverter clutch 131. A branch pipe 263 leads from the pipe 256 to a valve 264 dominated by a solenoid 265;

, lubricator 277, the header 238 is connected to a valve 27 8 which is dominated by a solenoid 279. A pipe 288 leads from the valve 278 through an adjustable valve 284 to one end of a uid motor 281 whose piston rod 282 is connected to reciprocate the ohc conveyor bed 40, and a second pipe 283 leads through an adjustable valve 285 to the other end of said motor 281.

OPERATION FIG. 17 is an elemental Wiring diagram indicating a source of current at 242. A manually manipulable switch 286, when closed, connects the opposite sides of the line with wires 287 and 288, respectively.

The leading end of a board entering the unit 167 (FIGS. 1, 19 and 20) engages the arms 177 to turn the shaft 176 against the tendency of the weight 182, whereby the cam 185 actuates the switch 186. The switch 186 comprises two sets of normally closed contacts (FIG. 17) 186 and 186'. The action of the cam 185 opens both these sets of contacts. Momentarily thereafter, the cam 183 actuates the switch 184. 184 is a normally open switch connected in series in a line 238 extending from the wire 287 through normally closed switch 192 (FIGS. 17 and 21), normally closed relay switch 291 and relay 292, to wire 288. Thus, when switch 184 is so closed, relay 292 will be energized.

Relay 292 dominates normally open relay switches 293, 294 and 295. Relay switch 293 is connected in wire 296 which bridges switch 184 to hold the energizing circuit for the relay 292. Relay switch 294 is connected in series in a wire 297 extending through contacts 186 to energize solenoids 236 and 236' which dominate the solenoid valves of the systems 258 and 251, respectively (FIG. 18). However, since contacts 186 are held open by cam 185 (FIG. 20) closure of relay switch 294 does not immediately energize solenoids 236 and 236. Relay switch 295 is connected in series in a wire 298 which extends from wire 287 through contacts 186 and solenoid 260 (FIGS. 17 and 18) to wire 288. Since contacts 186 are held open by cam 185, solenoid 266 is not immediately energized. (Switch 287 in wire 305 bridging relay switch 295 and contacts 186 is at this time held open by one of the lobes 284 or 205 of cam 203, as will be explained.)

As the trailing end of the board leaves the arms 181, the weight 182 will return the shaft 176 to its normal position and the cam 185 will permit the contacts 186 and 186 to close. Thus, the solenoid 260 is energized t0 actuate the valve 259 (FIG. 18) to release the inverter brake 135 and to engage the inverter clutch 131; and at the same time the solenoids 236 and 236 are energized to actuate the valves of the systems 258 and 251 (FIG. 18) to supply uid under pressure to the passage 125, whereby the motors 119 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 7) will be actuated to swing the arms 83 and 105 in a counter-clockwise direction relative ot the rotor 49.

The board has been fed into a position between the rockers 98 and the arms 60 of the several gripper assemblies 53. This actuation of the motors 119 will, therefore, lift the board 336 off the rolls 32 and grip it between the shoes and 66. By manipulation of the hand wheel 172, the carriage 173 can be so positioned that this will occur when the trailing end of the board is substantially in registry with the last roll 39 on the off conveyor 38.

Engagement of the inverter clutch 131 and release of the inverter brake 135 starts rotation of the shaft 132 to drive the shaft 137 (FIG. 14) and the drive element 139 of the Geneva motion (FIG. 16). The cam 203 turns with the shaft 137 to allow switch 207 to close. The roller 140 enters the slot 145 to turn the shaft 143 through 90. Because of the ratio between the gear 149 and the pinion 150, this results in a rotation of the rotor 49. Thus, the gripper assemblies 53 are moved from their position illustrated in FIG. 4, in which they are cooperatively associated with the receiving conveyor 30, to the position 9 in which they are cooperatively associated with the trans# fer conveyor 42.

After approximately 100 of rotation of therotor 49, switch 202, which is normally open audwhich is connected in series in a wire 289 Vleading from wire 287 through solenoid 205 (FIGS. 17 andl 18) to the Wire 288, is closed'by cam 193 (FIGS. 2land 22)', and-solenoid265 (FIGS. 17 and 18) is thereby energized to actuate the motor 154'to apply the dragVv or decelerationbrake 152 to retard the rate of movement of the rotor. 49. The interval during which switch 202 is-thus held closed is variable by adjustment ofthe cam lobe plate 195 or 198 radially of the ring 193, vand the point in thecycle of the rotor at which the switch 202 will be closed is variable by adjustment of the ring 193 rotationally relative to the screws 137 (FIG. 22). In most cases, it is founddesirable to close the switch 202 at about 100 of the 180 cycle of the rotor 49 and to reopen'it at about 170 of its travel;

At approximately 175 of the rotor travel, one of the lobes of the cam 138` momentarily opens switch-192 to break the energizing circuit for relay 292. Relay switch 293 is thus reopened, relay switch 294 is reopened to deenergize solenoids 236, 236- whereby the motorsV 119 are reversed and relay switch 295 is reopened. Normally closed switch 207 in wire 305'brid'ging relay switch 295, however, maintains an energizing circuitfor solenoid 250, so that the inverter clutch 131i and the inverter brake 135 are unaffected. The rotor 49 thus continues to move and the gripper assemblies are reopened just before the arms 61 reach a level immediately beneath that occupiedby the upper runs of the belts 43, and the board 336is thus laid upon those belts.

The Geneva input shaft 137 continues to rotate, through approximately 90 after the roller 140'has left the slot 145 leaving the rotor 49 in its new stationary position. The cam 209 (FIG. 25), which is carried on said input shaft 137, actuates switch 213 justas the rollertso emerges from said slot. Normally open switch 213 is connected in series in a wire 299 which leads from tthe wire 287 through relay 300 to wire 288; Cam 209 momentarily closes switch 213'thus energizing relay 300which dominates normally open relay switches 301Y and`302. Relay switch 301 is connected in series with normally' closed switch 223 in a wire 303 which bridges normally open switch 213. Relay switch 302 is connected in series in a wire 304 which leads from wire 257 through solenoid 272 to wire 280. Thus, energization of relay 300 establishes a holding circuit for said relay and energizes solenoid 272 to actuate valve 271 (FIG. 1S)v to release belt brake 159 and engage belt clutch 153. The shaft 44 is thus driven to move the belts 43 to remove the board from the inverter and carry it toward the off conveyor 38, to'a position such that it will just clear the next board or group of boards to be laid on the belts 43 by the next turning operation of the inverter.

Cam 216 (FIG. 27) is driven with the shaft 44. It is so adjusted that, after cam 209 has released the arm 212 of switch 213, and as the work piece on the belts 43 attains the above-described position, a lug 217 will engage the arm 224 of the switch 223 to actuate said switch. As has been stated, switch 223 is a normally closed switch in bridging line 303 for the energizing circuit of relay 300, and when the cam lug 217 actuates switch mm 224, switch 223 is opened to deenergize relay 300, thereby opening relay switch 302 to deenergize solenoid 272. Thereby, valve 271 is returned to a position in which belt brake 159 will be applied and belt clutch 15S will be disengaged, thus stopping the belts 43. Thus, shaft 44, and therefore shaft 215, will be stopped in this position to hold switch 223 open until rotation of shaft 44 is reinitiated as above described.

Thereafter, as shaft 137 continues to rotate, the other lobe 205 or 204 of cam 203'engages the actuating arm 206 of switch 207 (FIG. 24). When switch 207 is opened by cam 203, solenoid 260 is deenergized and valve 259 10 (FIG. 18) moves to a position in which the inverter clutch 131 is disengaged and the inverter brake 135 is applied to stop the shaft 137, with switch 207 held open. Cami2'03iis so vadjusted on shaft 137 as to stop that shaft when roller 141 has reached the position occupied by roller m FIG. 16.

It willbe noted that I have shown two lugs 217 on'the cam disc 216. The width of the off conveyor (FIG. l) is approximately twice the width of the receiving conveyor 30; When 48 board (or any plurality of widths totaling 48) is being handled by the machine, the parts areso proportioned and arranged that the cam disc 216 will turn through one revolution for each full revolution of the rotor 49. Thus, when the rotor 49 turns through 180 to lay one batch of work on the belts 43, the switch 213 will be actuated by the cam 209 to cause the belts 43 to be driven until the work reaches the above-described clearing position, at which time one lug 217 will actuate thefswitch 223 to stop the belts. Upon the next V180" movement of the rotor 49, the gripper assemblies 54 lay another batch of work on the belts 43 immediately to the right (FIG. l) of, but not touching, the iirst work batch. Now, the switch 213 will again be actuated by the cam 209 as above described, and the belts 43 will .again be driven to transport the two batches of work toward the off'conveyor 38. At this time, the common plane .tangent to the uppermost surfaces of the rolls 39 is below the plane common to the upper runs of the belts 43. The second lug 217 on the cam plate 216 is so positioned that, as theleading edge of the first work batch attains substantial registry with the left-hand edge (FIG. l) of the off conveyor and the trailing edge of the second work batch attains substantial registry with the right-handedge of that conveyor, said second lug 217 will'again actuate the switch 223 to stop the belts 43. Concurrently,the lug 21S on said plate 216 engages the arm 226 of switch 225 to close that switch.

Switch 225 is connected in series in a wire 306 leading from wire 287, through wire 308 and solenoid 279, to wire 208; Thus, closure of switch 225' energizes solenoid 279 to actuate valve 278 whereby motor 201 is actuated to lift the off conveyor bed 40 to a position in which the common plane tangent to the uppermost surfaces of the rolls 39 is above the plane common to the upper runs of the. belts 43.. The workv which has been moved' by the belts into registry with the off conveyor will'thus be'lifted from the belts and the live rolls 39 will discharge the work from the off conveyor. Motor 41 may operate continuously or, as suggested in FIG. 17, it may be controlled by a relay switch 333 dominated by a relay (not shown) which is energized by elevation of the bed 40 and is deenergized when the work has been discharged from the ofr' conveyor.

When 32 board is being handled, three lugs 217 are mounted on the discv 216 and the ratio of the drive between the pulleys and 160 will be so changed that the shaft' 215 will make one complete revolution for each 540 movement of therotor 49 so that three batches of work will be arranged side-by-sideon the belts 43, and then will be moved into registry with the conveyor means 38, before' the switch 225' is actuated to lift the bed 40. The .above-mentionedA ratio change may be elfected by substituting other pulleys for the pulleys 160 and/ or 160'; or' the drivemeans connecting the shaft 44 to the shaft 215 may bel a variable speed or selective speed transmission.

Thus it'will be selen that, because operation of the transfer conveyor 42 is controlled in the manner above described, rather than by work-actuated means, I have avoided the-necessity, common to all previous machines of this general character known to me, for causing or permitting thework pieces to bump against control means or stopmeans or against other work pieces, with the resulting hazard of damage to the work piece' edges.

The regulator valve 233 and its analogue in the sys- 1 1 tern 251 control the pressure exerted between the mating arms of the gripper assemblies 53 and 54. The valve 240 and its analogue are manipulable to control the rate at which the gripper mechanisms are closed and the valve 239 and its analogue are manipulable to control the rate at which the gripper assemblies are opened.

The regulator valve 254, of course, controls the amount of pressure exerted upon the fluid actuated clutch and brake 131 and 135 for the inverter, the drag brake 152 for the inverter and the clutch and brake S and 159 for the belt conveyor. |The regulator valve 276 controls the pressure of fluid supply to the motor 281 for elevating the conveyor bed 40, and the Valves 234 and 285 are manually manipulable to control the speed of movement of the conveyor bed 40.

PUSH BUTTON CONTROLS While the machine will ordinarily be operated automatically in the manner above described, I have indicated, in FIG. 17, a series of push buttons whereby the various functions of the machine will be manually controlled.

Thus, a board reject button 309 carries normally open contacts in a wire 322 for energizing a relay 323 when said button is depressed. Relay 323 acts to close a relay switch 324 bridging the push button Contact in the wire 322, and to open normally closed relay switch 291 which is connected in series in the energizing circuit for the relay 292. Deenergization of the relay 292 disables the normal circuits for controlling the gripper mechanisms 53 and 54 and the rotor 19, so that work will pass through the machine, once the button 339 has been pressed, without being inverted and transferred to the belts 43, until push button 310, dominating normally closed contacts in the wire 322, is depressed. Push button 309 also carries normally open contacts in Wire 326 connected in series with motor 327 which will continue the rolls 32 in operation to carry away boards which have been fed to the inverter mechanism 37. Normally open relay switch 325 is also dominated by relay 323 to bridge the contacts of push button 309 in wire 326 until button 310 is depressed.

Push button 311 controls contacts in a wire 32S representing the energizing circuit for the motor 128; and the arrangement is such that, when button 311 is momentarily depressed, the motor 12S will be started and will be continued in operation until the stop button 312 is pressed.

Push button 313 is connected in wire 329 representing the energizing circuit for the motor 41, and the arrangement is such that, after momentary depression of the button 313, the motor d1 will continue in operation until the button 314iis depressed.

Push buttons 315 and 316 are mechanically connected together and the button 315 carries normally open contacts in a wire 331i which extends from wire 287, through a pressure-responsive switch 331 dominated by pressure conditions in the tank 165, and represents the energizing circuit for the motor 163.

Push button 31'7 is connected in a wire 332 leading from the wire 287 through the solenoid 26@ for manual engagement of the inverter clutch 131 and release of the inverter brake 135.

Push button 318 is connected in a wire 333 bridging relay switch 302, to energize solenoid 272 for manual control of the belt clutch 158 and belt brake 159.

Push button 319 is connected in wire 334 bridging switch 225 in the enegizing circuit for the solenoid 279, for manual control of the motor 281 for lifting the off conveyor table 40.

Push button 320 carries normally open contacts in a line 335 which represents the energizing circuit for the motor 155, and the arrangement is such that, when the button 320 is momentarily pressed, the motor 155 will be continued in operation until the button 321 is pressed.

I claim as my invention:

CII

1. In an inventer for sheet material, a rotor, a plurality of pairs of arms arranged in axially-spaced relation along said rotor to project in a common transaxial direction therefrom, each arm pair comprising a first arm fixed with respect to said rotor and a second arm mounted for limited peripheral movement relative to said rotor toward and away from said first arm, a rocker pivotally mounted intermediate its ends adjacent the distal end of said second arm of each pair, spring means biasing the distal end of each rocker toward the first arm of the same pair, adjustable means for limiting the movement of each rocker under the infiuence of its spring, each rocker providing a material supporting surface and all of said surfaces being disposed normally in a common plane, the first arm of each pair presenting a mating surface toward the material supporting surface of its associated rocker, means for moving a sheet of material into supported position on said material supporting surfaces, means for simultaneously shifting said second arms relative to said rotor toward said first arms to grip said sheet between said supporting surfaces and said mating surfaces, means for turning said rotor through and means for returning said second arms to their original positions relative to said rotor to release said sheet as said turning movement of said rotor is completed.

2. In an inverter for sheet material, a rotor, a plurality of blocks fixed to said rotor at spaced intervals therealong, each block providing two opposite, transaxially-extending surfaces, a first arm fixed to one of said surfaces of each block and extending in one direction away from said rotor, a second arm fixed to the other surface of each block and extending in the opposite direction away from said rotor, a ring journalled on said rotor adjacent each block, a third arm fixed to said ring and extending in said one direction away from said rotor in cooperative registry with said rst arm, a fourth arm fixed to said ring and extending in said opposite direction away from said rotor in cooperative registry with said second arm, said third and fourth arms being provided with surfaces normally spaced from, but facing, surfaces provided by said first and second arms, respectively, means for turning said rings in a direction to shift said third and fourth arm surfaces into clamping association with said first and second arm faces, respectively, and for returning said rings, and means for intermittently rotating said rotor unidirectionally in 180 steps.

3. In an inverter for sheet material, a rotor, a plurality of blocks fixed to said rotor at spaced intervals therealong, each block providing two opposite, transaxiallyextending surfaces, a first arm fixed to one of said surfaces of each block and extending in one direction away from said rotor, a second arm xed to the other surface of each block and extending in the opposite direction away from said rotor, a ring journalled on said rotor adjacent each block, a third arm fixed to said ring and extending in said one direction away from said rotor in cooperative registry with said first arm, a fourth arm fixed to said ring and extending in said opposite direction away from said rotor in cooperative registry with said second arm, said third and fourth arms being provided with surfaces normally spaced from, but facing, surfaces provided by said first and second arms, respectively, a fiuid motor for each block and ring group, each such motor comprising a cylinder element and a piston element, means operatively connecting one element of each motor to its associated block, means operatively connecting the other element of each motor to its associated ring, and means for intermittently rotating said rotor unidirectionally in 180 steps.

4. In an inverter for sheet material, a rotor, a plurality of blocks fixed to said rotor at spaced intervals therealong, each block providing two opposite, transaxiallyextending surfaces, a first arm fixed to one of said surfaces of each block and extending in one direction away from said rotor, a second arm fixed to the other surface of each block and extending in the opposite direction away from said rotor, a ring journalled on said rotor adjacent each block, a third arm xed to said ring and extending in said one direction away from said rotor in cooperative registry with said iirst arm, a fourth arm iixed to said ring and extending in said opposite direction away from said rotor in cooperative registry with said second arm, said third and fourth arms being provided with surfaces normally spaced from, but facing, surfaces provided by said rst and second arms, respectively, a rn'd motor for each block and ring group, each such motor comprising a cylinder element and a piston element, means operatively connecting one element of each motor to the rst arm of its group, means operatively connecting the other element of each motor to the third arm of its group, and means for intermittently rotating said rotor unidirectionally in 180 steps.

5. In a machine of the class described, a receiving conveyor, an inverter operatively associated with said receiving conveyor to accept work pieces successively therefrom, an oif conveyor spaced from said inverter, a transfer conveyor interposed between said inverter and said oif conveyor to receive work pieces from said inverter and deliver the same to said off conveyor, means for intermittently driving said inverter through successive 180 cycles to invert Work pieces and transfer the same from said receiving conveyor to said transfer conveyor, drive means for said transfer conveyor, means independ- 14 ent of such Work pieces and moving with said inverter to activate said transfer conveyor drive means each time said inverter deposits a Work piece on said transfer conveyor, means independent of said work pieces and moving with said transfer conveyor to deactivate said transfer conveyor drive means after a rst such deposit, with the deposited work piece positioned between said inverter and said off conveyor, and means independent of said work pieces and moving with said transfer conveyor means to deactivate said transfer conveyor drive means, after a subsequent such deposit, with all of the work pieces so deposited on said transfer conveyor in operative registry with said off conveyor.

6. The machine of claim 5 including means independ-y ent of said work pieces and moving with said transfer conveyor to transfer such Work pieces from said transfer conveyor to said olf conveyor upon attainment of such registry.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,970,749 Heichert Aug. 21, 1934 2,154,476 Simpson Apr. 18, 1939 2,293,192 Campbell Aug. 18, 1942 2,651,087 Fellows Sept. 8, 1953 2,829,759 Parker Apr. 8, 1958 2,943,749 Dotterer July 5, 1960 

5. IN A MACHINE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A RECEIVING CONVEYOR, AN INVERTER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID RECEIVING CONVEYOR TO ACCEPT WORK PIECES SUCCESSIVELY THEREFROM, AN OFF CONVEYOR SPACED FROM SAID INVERTER, A TRANSFER CONVEYOR INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID INVERTER AND SAID OFF CONVEYOR TO RECEIVE WORK PIECES FROM SAID INVERTER AND DELIVER THE SAME TO SAID OFF CONVEYOR, MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY DRIVING SAID INVERTER THROUGH SUCCESSIVE 180* CYCLES TO INVERT WORK PIECES AND TRANSFER THE SAME FROM SAID RECEIVING CONVEYOR TO SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR, DRIVE MEANS FOR SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR, MEANS INDEPENDENT OF SUCH WORK PIECES AND MOVING WITH SAID INVERTER TO ACTIVATE SAID TRANSFEE CONVEYOR DRIVE MEANS EACH TIME SAID INVERTER DEPOSITS A WORK PIECE ON SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR, MEANS INDEPENDENT OF SAID WORK PIECES AND MOVING WITH SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR TO DEACTIVATE SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR DRIVE MEANS AFTER A FIRST SUCH DEPOSIT, WITH THE DEPOSITED WORK PIECE POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID INVERTER AND SAID OFF CONVEYOR, AND MEANS INDEPENDENT OF SAID WORK PIECES AND MOVING WITH SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR MEANS TO DEACTIVATE SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR DRIVE MEANS, AFTER A SUBSEQUENT SUCH DEPOSIT, WITH ALL OF THE WORK PIECES SO DEPOSITED ON SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR IN OPERATIVE REGISTRY WITH SAID OFF CONVEYOR. 